38 AWG (American Wire Gauge) wire specifications: 0.1007 mm diameter, 0.008 mm² area. Resistance, weight, and common uses.
| Diameter | 0.1007 mm · 0.003965" · 3.97 mils |
| Cross-sectional area | 0.008 mm² · 16 circular mils |
| Resistance (copper, 20°C) | 2163.9841 Ω/km · 659.5824 Ω/1000ft |
| Resistance (aluminum, 20°C) | 3547.52 Ω/km · 1081.29 Ω/1000ft |
| Ampacity — copper 60°C | — A |
| Ampacity — copper 75°C | — A |
| Ampacity — copper 90°C | — A |
| Ampacity — aluminum 75°C | — A |
| Weight (copper) | 0.071 kg/km · 0.048 lbs/1000ft |
| Weight (aluminum) | 0.022 kg/km · 0.014 lbs/1000ft |
| Closest IEC 60228 size | 0.008 mm² actual — smaller than 0.5 mm², the smallest IEC 60228 size |
| Skin depth at 60 Hz | 8.531 mm |
| Type | Temperature | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PVC | 60-105°C | General purpose insulation |
| Teflon (PTFE) | 200°C | High temperature applications |
| Silicone | 200°C | Flexible, high temperature |
| Enamel | 155-220°C | Magnet wire coating |
38 AWG wire (0.1007 mm diameter) is used in precision magnet wire applications including micro-coil windings, miniature transformer secondaries, and electromagnetic sensor elements. It is found in some MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) components and laboratory electromagnet coils.
38 AWG wire has a diameter of 0.1007 mm (100.7 µm), which is approximately the same thickness as a human hair (about 0.07 mm). Its cross-sectional area is just 0.007967 mm². At this size, the wire is too fragile for manual handling in most cases and is typically wound by machine as enameled magnet wire.